Siesta: That Afternoon Nap is Good for You
This article focuses on the positives of siesta, the short afternoon nap.
As most of us know Siesta is defined as ‘A short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal or lunch’
Some of us think that we might get lazy and siesta is not such a good practice. But science and research has proved that siesta is actually good for you. This is why, you might want to reconsider, if you think that siesta is ‘bad’.
Image via Wikipedia
1- Siesta the power nap- If you don’t sleep for too long, siesta can actually relax your mind and increase your efficiency. Post-siesta, you can think clearly and since your mind has rested during the afternoon, your creativity will go up. Plus, you would be far more alert, provided you don’t extend your siestas for too long a period.
2- Siesta improves cardiovascular health- As per a research conducted at the John Moores University in Liverpool, people who enjoy siestas, have been known to have lower cardiovascular health issues. It is seen that the blood pressure reduces, just before falling asleep. So if siesta is a habit, it can help reduce chances of cardiovascular mortality.
3- Siesta helps memory- According to the study, doctors say that the results suggested the possibility to speed up memory consolidation, thanks to siesta.
4-Siesta helps your eyes- If you are straining your eyes too much by sitting at your computer/laptop all day long, you need siestas. Siesta will help relax the muscles in your eyes. Constant straining of the eyes can cause serious eye problems, as you grow older. So reduce the chances of such eye problems, and take that power nap.
5- Siesta the stress buster- It has also been noticed that people who enjoy siestas, have lower stress levels. This gain helps improve the health of your heart and your overall well-being.
Taking siestas does not mean you are feeling ill, it is a step towards a healthier life.
But remember one thing, siesta is a short/power nap. So don’t sleep for too long in the afternoon. Else you might feel all grumpy and it might affect your night’s sleep pattern.
Sources: http://generalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/daily_nap_helps_heart_memory
Liked it
drelayaraja | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
great one.
Darla Smith | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
I cannot take afternoon naps unless I’m sick.
shanthu | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
nice
livemike | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
Love siesta!Very good in a high pressure job.A little nap goes a long way…
diamondpoet | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
I agree there is nothing like a siesta, and that picture was so beautiful terrific idea. Thank you for sharing.
lillyrose | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
Great article! I would love to take a nap in the afternoon, about an hour would do me!
I have been unable to submit any work because the thumb nail pic on the submission won’t bring me up any pictures but it won’t submit without, I have tried about 10 times, have you had any problems?
Christine Ramsay | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
I have never been able to sleep during the day. I wish I could. An informative piece. Well done.
Christine
svishnugopal | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
very informative and useful thanks
Guy Hogan | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
I blog all day long so I take little cat naps on the sofa. The naps only last for a few minutes but they help.
Enlightenedpsych2 | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
With this informative post you delivered, I believe I will alter my current sleeping patterns. I currently fall into restful deep sleep about an hour or so after I lay down, normally around 2am–and then wake roughly 8am, write some and then return for three more hours of deeper sleep. Feeling not as energized as i could be, I will try going to bed earlier, falling into deep sleep faster so that when I rise at 10 I can go till 3 or 4 in the afternoon take this great SIESTA and be refreshed.
Thank you for sharing and have a great sleep . . .
sharing the light,
miss erica hidvegi,
the Enlightenment Advisor
Themax | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
so cute and very well written Thanks you
Mystify | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
Oh how I wish I could take an afternoon nap,would that ever be grand! I just wish I could bloody sleep half the time lol
Excellent write Rox, very informative with a whole lot of valuable advice!! My grandfather would have swore on these! He always took one and never took a pill in his life.
Frances Lawrence | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
A helpful article, I love sleeping, I could happily fall asleep any time.
jimbob1 | Nov 25, 2009 | Reply
Ahm yes, the all important power nap…If a person is fortunate enough to be able to limit the power nap to 10 or 15 minutes you will benefit greatly, but a long afternoon nap defeats the whole purpose of the Siesta. Great article thanks so much.
jimbob1 | Nov 25, 2009 | Reply
Ah yes, the all important power nap. If a person is fortunate enough to be able to limit the power nap to 10 or 15 minutes you will benefit greatly, but a long afternoon nap defeats the whole purpose of the Siesta. Great article thanks so much.
magicdarts | Nov 26, 2009 | Reply
so true I always make sure I set the alarm these days so I can don’t over do it – less than an hour is fine, but after that I just can’t sleep at night. Sometimes wish I could have a sleep during the working week, would make the days seem a bit shorter!
sweet sunshine143 | Nov 28, 2009 | Reply
Taking a siesta or nap is beneficial. I try to take one especially on the weekends after I come back from the gym. Great article on the benefits of a siesta. In certain parts of the world, I have read that around noon most businesses close so people can take naps.
Jon Abraham | Dec 9, 2009 | Reply
Find it difficult to wake up after a siesta..lol!